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Statement on Cabinet Meeting, 7 March 2007 Cabinet
held its fourth meeting this year in Cape Town yesterday, 7 March 2007. Cabinet
noted that South Africa assumed the Chairpersonship of the United Nations Security
Council at a time when the Council will be dealing with major global issues. This
historic task comes with the communication challenge of ensuring that our role
and votes in the Council are fully understood in South Africa and abroad. A communication
strategy will be put in place to address this challenge. Cabinet congratulates
the people of Ghana on the occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the country's
independence. The meeting noted that the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs
represented South Africa at the anniversary celebrations. Ghana's independence
was a historic milestone in the rebirth of Africa and played a seminal role in
the anti-colonial struggles of many countries on the continent, including South
Africa's struggle for liberation. Kwame Nkrumah's declaration that "the independence
of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked to the total liberation of the African
continent," is a message of African Unity with enduring relevance. The
meeting noted that the Deputy President will be launching the Action Plan for
365 Days of Activism against gender and child directed violence. This launch will
take place today (8 March 2007) at the Union Buildings and will build on the gains
made by the 16 Days of Activism Campaign that we've been running for the past
nine years. Cabinet expressed its disquiet at the recent violent demonstrations
in parts of the North West province. We once again reiterate our respect for the
right of every citizen to protest peacefully and within the framework of the law.
As is expected, law enforcement agencies must and will take all the necessary
steps to ensure that all those who encourage and/or participate in unlawful and
violent action are held accountable for their actions. We call upon community
leaders to show stronger leadership that encourages our communities to act within
the laws of our land and promotes understanding of the parameters of acceptable
protest in a democratic state. Our democratic system affords citizens various
avenues for making our voices heard by those in authority without resorting to
actions that infringe on the rights of others, and that cause injury to persons
and damage to property. Having said that, the protests highlight in some
instances the need for all spheres of government to expedite implementation of
government's Programme of Action, whose primary objective is to meet the basic
needs of our communities. There is also a need for all spheres of government to
deepen communication with communities regarding plans, timeframes, progress and
challenges in implementing the Programme of Action. The meeting noted and
considered the report of the Support Intervention Team in the Department of Home
Affairs. The meeting expressed its appreciation to the Minister of Home Affairs
for initiating the process, aimed at finding a lasting and sustainable solution
to the challenges faced by the department. Cabinet committed itself to support
the Minister in her efforts to turn the Department around. The Minister will be
issuing a statement today, 8 March 2007, on the findings of the Team and the steps
she intends to take to address the delivery challenges in the department. Cabinet
conveyed its best wishes to the Minister of Health, who is still in hospital,
and on behalf of all South Africans, wished her a speedy recovery. Cabinet
noted that the development of the National Strategic Plan, updating the comprehensive
programme to combat HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, is nearing
completion. The extensive consultative process led by the Department of Health
on behalf of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) is due to culminate
in a national consultative conference on 15-16 March 2007. We take this opportunity
to thank all stakeholders for their constructive contribution and continuing work
in reviewing and updating the comprehensive plan. The meeting approved
a request from the African Development Bank (ADB) for South Africa to contribute
to clearing Liberia's unpaid debt to the Bank. The Liberian economy deteriorated
following the civil war in 1989. However, since the election of President Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf in 2005, the economy has shown signs of recovery, with real Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 5,3% in 2005 and a projected growth 7,7% in 2006/7.
South Africa will avail US$3,6 million (approximately R26,28 million), amounting
to 6,25% of the amount requested from bilateral donors as our contribution to
the clearance of Liberia's unpaid debt to the ADB. This amount will be drawn from
the National Treasury's 2006/7 budget for fiscal transfers. Cabinet noted
the Youth into Science Strategy proposed by the Department of Science and Technology.
Its main objectives are to increase science and technology literacy in South Africa.
It seeks to contribute towards the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (AsgiSA) through the development of high level priority skills among
our youth and undergraduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
A network of science centres has been established which will enrol about 5 000
disadvantaged youth in science, engineering and technology based careers. The
Department has signed a collaboration agreement with the Department of Education
and will sign similar agreements with the Departments of Trade and Industry; Transport;
Communications; and Minerals and Energy to enhance co-ordination. The meeting
approved the Municipal Fiscal Powers Bill for tabling in Parliament during the
2007 session. This Bill promotes predictability, certainty and transparency in
respect of municipal powers and functions. It provides for the phasing out of
the Regional Services Councils (RSC) and the Joint Services Board levies. It will
also regulate the authorisation of municipal taxes by the Minister of Finance
and ensure that municipal fiscal powers and functions are exercised in a manner
that will not materially and unreasonably prejudice national economic policies
or national mobility of goods and services. The Bill deals with municipal surcharges
and municipal taxes referred to in Section 229 of the Constitution other than
the property rates taxes which are covered in the Municipal property Rates Act
No 6 of 2004. Cabinet noted that the first Izimbizo Week will be held from
10-17 April 2007. It will focus on Government's Programme of Action and will contribute
to social mobilisation of communities in the fight against poverty and for safer
communities. The meeting noted the decision of the Pretoria High Court
regarding the processes followed in the awarding of the Lottery Licence. The Minister
of Trade and Industry will make a statement in this regard after studying the
court decision. Enquiries: Themba Maseko
Cell: 083 645
0810 Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
8 March 2007
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